A Message from the Chairman…

Before I begin this morning I’d like to ask that we all keep in our thoughts and prayers those Americans overseas striving to keep us safe and protect our freedoms….

I’d also like to ask that you join me in recognizing my colleagues in the Physical Plant who have worked so hard to make sure our campus is looking its best this morning, both inside and out.

By the way, one of those hard working members of the Physical Plant is sitting among you this morning, my friend Joe Leffler who in kindness I’ll just refer to as a “mature” student, is not only graduating today but is doing so with honors…Congratulations Joe…!

Reverend Clergy, President Matonak, Board Trustee’s, fellow members of the platform party, faculty, staff, friends, family, and of course the distinguished graduates of the Class of 2008, it is with great honor and pleasure that I bring you greetings on behalf of the Rensselaer County Legislature.

By your presence here this morning you take an important step in that all too brief journey we call life. A step for which you richly deserve this morning’s salutations, congratulations, and honorariums.

We in Rensselaer County Government are proud of the sponsoring relationship we enjoy with Hudson Valley Community College.

That same relationship allows Rensselaer County the opportunity to invest in an especially precious and vital resource. That resource is you and your potential.

By your membership in the Class of ’08 you confirm not only that potential, but indeed your ability to make good use of it.

As the great writer James Baldwin said: “Your crown has been bought and paid for. All you need to do now is put it on your head.”

As you move forward in building on that crown always aim high. Do not settle for what you know you can accomplish. Challenge yourself to pursue the impossible, and you’ll go further than you could ever imagine.

Always remember it is you and only you who can set boundaries for yourself.

I’ve always enjoyed the story about the college student who wrote a final paper about his idea of an “overnight delivery service”. The instructor gave him a “C” and justified the grade by calling the premise of over night delivery as implausible. The student’s name was Fred Smith .Today he’s the CEO of “FedEx”.

Regardless of what you do after today, endeavor to ensure that your education doesn’t end.

Newton D. Baker said, “the man who graduates today and stops learning tomorrow is uneducated the day after.”

Your efforts here at HVCC have provided you with the skill and insight to keep on learning, whether formally in a classroom or informally in life.

Try and live the life you’ve imagined for yourself. Go confidently in the direction of your dreams.

To paraphrase Mark Twain, “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did. Cast off the lines and sail away from safe harbor. Explore, dream, discover.

To those graduating today: I envy you your voyage!

Again, to the Class of 2008, Congratulations, good luck, good health, and God Bless…

Sincerely,

Neil J. Kelleher, Chairman

Rensselaer County Legislature